The
Kilnadeema branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann will have a record number of
members competing at the Connacht Fleadh, which is being held in Ballinamore,
Co. Leitrim on the first weekend in July. After a very successful Co. Fleadh,
forty junior members will take part in a wide variety of competitions. Over
the last number of years the branch has put a big emphasis on group playing
and branch sessions. This has paid big dividends this year with four ceili bands
and a grupai cheoil qualifying for the Connacht Fleadh. At the Co. Fleadh in
the 15-18 ceili band competition, the two bands from Kilnadeema came 1st and
2nd. In the 12-15 age group Kilnadeema also emerged victorious while the under
12 band came third and also qualified. In the 15-18 grupai cheoil competition,
the Kilnadeema group came out on top for the third year in a row. The ceili
bands, grupai cheoil and individual competitors can look forward to more success
at the Connacht Fleadh and the hope of qualifying for Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann,
which is being held in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal on the last weekend in August.
The members who qualified for the Connacht Fleadh are: Michael
Burke, Rosemarie Burke, Mary Connaughton, Niall Connaire, Shauna Coppinger,
Robert Costello, Brian Egan, Kate Forde, Maeve Forde, Gerard Ford, Clare Forde,
Sheila Forde, Peter Forde, Brian Harris, David Howley, Martin James Howley,
Cliona Hynes, Brendan Hynes, Eel Hynes, Siobhan Keane, Lourda Kennedy, Niamh
Killilea, Aishling Killlea, Emma Lahiffe, Nicola Murphy, Caroline Murphy, Bernadette
Nilan, Katie Page, Niamh Regan, Joseph Regan, Claire Ryan, Kate Sherry, Jack
Sherry, Ciara Stapleton, Padraic Stapleton, Lisa Whelan, Gearoid Whelan, Peter
Whelan, Sheena Whelan, Ferdie Whelan.